Get Drunk Run A Red Light and Kill a Mother and Only Serve 30 Days in Jail

Driver who hit, killed Pamela Hesselbacher to be sentenced Today.

On Tuesday morning, William Epperlein will be sentenced inside Chandler Municipal Court for multiple misdemeanors after the death of Pamela Hesselbacher and injuries to her two children.

Back in January, Epperlein pleaded guilty to running a red light, then hitting and killing the Valley mother. But because of what many considered legal loopholes, the offenses are mere misdemeanors.

“This is a tragedy, it’s tragic for everybody including Mr. Epperlein,” said Epperlein’s attorney Alex Gonzalez. “He’ll respond and answer any questions at court next session.”

That session will start at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday. According to the judge, the maximum penalty in the case is 30 days in jail.

“He may just get a fine and get to go free,” said Hesselbacher’s mother, Jodi Kieran. “It’s not justice.”

Epperlein has a prior DUI conviction and didn’t maintain his required high-risk insurance. His license was suspended at the time of the 2016 crash near Ray Road and Ponderosa Avenue.

“That shows he has no respect for the courts or the system or for the family to begin with,” said Kieran.

Pamela’s husband is raising the couple’s two children on his own now. Ryan was three years old at the time and Audrey was one.

“They are doing OK…they are progressing,” said Kieran. “The kids are still having difficulty with medical issues and counseling.”

Kieran lobbied the legislature to change the law to impose harsher penalties on those who drive with a suspended license and commit traffic violations that result in serious injury or death. Pam’s Law was passed last July .